Name: Dan
Current exhibition: Just Dance
Website: Â www.dan-vidal.com
www.seenightlife.com
· Do you make a career out of or hope to make a career out of art, or is it a sideline for you?
Right now it’s what I do, and I want to do more of it. I can pay the rent, so I guess I’m doing alright! There’s always room for more though.
· What is it about your work that makes it speak to people or to the community at large?
I would say what people like the most is my usage of existing lighting sources and lack of post-shoot manipulation. Unless the client asks for something specific, what comes out of my camera is what gets published.
· How do you let people know about your work?
My own website, of course, as well as talknightlife.com, and the usual array of social networking sites like Facebook.
· What do you feel inspires you to make art in the particular medium you have chosen?
I capture fleeting moments, and last time I checked that was pretty difficult to do with a paintbrush and canvas.
· Why Miami?
I just sort of ended up here twelve years ago.
· Do you have a favorite artist from the past or present?
Andres Serrano. I only wish I had the financial freedom to piss people off like he does.
· How would you compare the art scene in Miami to other cities you have lived or worked in?
It’s, “different”. Some people love to drag out the usual comparisons to New York and so forth, but Miami will never be New York, and that’s a good thing. Miami needs to be Miami.
· If someone wanted to get into being an artist, what would be your first suggestion to them?
Get a roof over your head, get the tools you need to do your art, and put food on the table. With some creative juggling you can actually free up a lot of time to concentrate on your art. I’ve seen a lot of talented people get swallowed up by their “day jobs” and not have any time to do what they really want to do.
